History Main / AesopTinum

* ''Series/BabylonFive'': In "Deathwalker", the Dilgar war criminal Jha'dur develops an anti-aging serum that can be used repeatedly to extend an individual's life indefinitely. The cost? It requires a non-synthesizable ingredient available only in [[PoweredByAForsakenChild other sentients]] (one treatment requires one sentient). Her intention was to disperse the knowledge of the serum to ''start'' genocidal wars as vengeance for her species dying (and to establish that, for all their self-righteous condemnation of the Dilgar, the other races are NotSoDifferent). The Vorlons [[YouAreNotReady take it upon themselves]] to destroy the serum, Deathwalker and her ship to prevent that (and destroy any chance of researching the process to give the younger races true immortality and become rivals of the Vorlons).

Usually, this is done by giving it a [[PowerAtAPrice ghastly price tag]]. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[ToxicPhlebotinum toxic]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], it may [[GaiasLament hurt the environment]], or it may attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory a real-world issue]], like [[DrugsAreBad drug use]], [[GreenAesop man's reliance on ecologically destructive technologies]], etc. Also expect it to be used primarily by the villains -- especially in the more {{Anvilicious}} works.

Usually, this is done by giving it a [[PowerAtAPrice ghastly price tag]]. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[ToxicPhlebotinum toxic]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], it may [[GaiasLament hurt the environment]], or it may attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory a real-world issue]], like drug use, man's reliance on ecologically destructive technologies, etc. Also expect it to be used primarily by the villains -- especially in the more {{Anvilicious}} works.

Usually, this is done by giving it a [[PowerAtAPrice ghastly price tag]]. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[ToxicPhlebotinum toxic]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], it may [[GaiasLament hurt the environment]], or it may attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory a real-world issue]], like drug use, man's reliance on ecologically destructive technologies, etc. Also expect it to be used primarily by the villains -- especially in the more {{Anvillicious}} works.

Usually, this is done by giving it a [[PowerAtAPrice ghastly price tag]]. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[ToxicPhlebotinum toxic]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], it may [[GaiasLament hurt the environment]], or it may attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used primarily by the villains in order to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory a real-world issue]], like drug use, man's reliance on ecologically destructive technologies, etc.

Usually, this is done by giving it a [[PowerAtAPrice ghastly price tag]]. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[ToxicPhlebotinum toxic]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], it may [[GaiasLament hurt the environment]], or it may attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory a real-world issue]], like drug use, man's reliance on ecologically destructive technologies, etc.

However, Aesoptinum can also take the form of positive reinforcement: a magical or technological substance that is [[SentientPhlebotinum sentient]], [[EmpathicWeapon empathetic]], [[LoyalPhlebotinum loyal]], and thus will either bar anyone from using it without good intentions or allow itself to be used by morally dubious individuals if only to manipulate them into learning the error of their ways.

Usually, this is done by giving it a [[PowerAtAPrice ghastly price tag]]. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[ToxicPhlebotinum toxic]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], it may [[GaiasLament hurt the environment]], or it may attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory a real-world issue]], like drug use, ecologically destructive technologies, man's greed, etc.

Usually, this is done by giving it a [[PowerAtAPrice ghastly price tag]]. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[ToxicPhlebotinum toxic]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], it may [[GaiasLament hurt the environment]], or it may attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory a real-world issue]], like drug use, ecologically destructive technology, man's greed, etc.

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], it may [[GaiasLament hurt the environment]], or it may attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud the pitfalls of man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]], or to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory about a harmful real-world activity]], like drug use.

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], or it may attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud the pitfalls of man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]], or to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory about a harmful real-world activity]], like drug use.

However, Aesoptinum can also take the form of positive reinforcement: a magical or technological substance that is [[SentientPhlebotinum sentient]], [[EmpathicWeapon empathetic]], [[LoyalPhlebotinum loyal]], and thus only allows itself to be used with good intentions.

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], or it may attractto the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud the pitfalls of man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]], or to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory about a harmful real-world activity]], like drug use.

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], or it may attractto the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud the pitfalls of man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]], or to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory about unhealthy real-world activities]] like drug use.

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], or it may attractto the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud the pitfalls of man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]], or to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything allegory about things like drug use]].

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], or it may attractto the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud the pitfalls of man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]], or to draw an [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything
allegory about things like drug use]].

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], or it may attractto the local PhlebotinumMuncher. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud the pitfalls of man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]].

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], or it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]] and attractive to the local PhlebotinumMuncher, and so on. Expect this type of Aesoptinum to be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud the pitfalls of man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]].

However, Aesoptinum can also take the form of positive reinforcement: a magical or technological substance that is [[SentientPhlebotinum sentient]], [[EmpathicWeapon empathetic]], [[LoyalPhlebotinum loyal]], and thus only allows itself to be used with good intentions. Essentially a test of character. With magic. And science.

But still, don't be surprised if this trope, as is usual for metaphors, turns into a FantasticAesop due to being [[TropesAreTools handled poorly]].

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them, or by giving it some other ethically dubious side-effect. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]], or it may be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], [[SentientPhlebotinum sentient]], and attractive to the local PhlebotinumMuncher.

Expect this to be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud the pitfalls of man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]]. However, don't be surprised if this trope, as is usual for metaphors, turns into a FantasticAesop instead due to being [[TropesAreTools handled poorly]].

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them, or by giving it some other ethically dubious side-effect. It may be [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the sacrifice of innocents]] or it can be [[PhlebotinumDependence addictive]], [[SentientPhlebotinum sentient]], and/or attractive to the local PhlebotinumMuncher.

Usually, this is done by having it be [[ToxicPhlebotinum actively dangerous]] to its user and people around them, or by giving it some other ethically dubious side-effect. It may be PoweredByAForsakenChild, induce PhlebotinumDependence, attract the local PhlebotinumMuncher, and so on.

Often, this will be used to illustrate a point about [[AndManGrewProud man's hubris]] and [[ScienceIsBad science being bad]]. However, as is usual of metaphors, this trope can -- [[TropesAreTools if handled poorly]] -- turn into a FantasticAesop instead.

A form of {{phlebotinum}} with a metaphorical and/or ethical component which exists only so that the author can build [[AnAesop a moral lesson]] out of it.

A form of {{phlebotinum}} with a metaphorical and/or ethical component which exists only so that the author can build [[AnAesop a moral lesson]] out of it. As a type of Phlebotinum, this is only for the substance or technology providing a vehicle for AnAesop.

Compare PoweredByAForsakenChild and PhlebotinumMuncher, as these tropes sometimes overlap. Also compare FantasticAesop, which is what this literary device may or may not turn into if [[TropesAreTools handled poorly by the writer]].

A form of {{phlebotinum}} with a moral component which exists only so that the author can build [[AnAesop a moral lesson]] out of it. As a type of Phlebotinum, this is only for the substance or technology providing a vehicle for AnAesop.

A form of {{phlebotinum}} with a moral component which exists only so that the author can build [[AnAesop a moral lesson]] out of it. As a type of {{Phlebotinum}}, this is only for the substance or technology providing a vehicle for AnAesop.

Compare PoweredByAForsakenChild as these tropes sometimes overlap. May or may not turn into a FantasticAesop or -- if the writer [[TropesAreTools handles it especially poorly]] -- a SpaceWhaleAesop. Can also result in a PhlebotinumMuncher or MarySuetopia.

Compare PoweredByAForsakenChild as these tropes sometimes overlap. May or may not turn into a FantasticAesop or, if the writer [[TropesAreTool handles it especially poorly]], a SpaceWhaleAesop. Can also result in a PhlebotinumMuncher or MarySuetopia.

Compare PoweredByAForsakenChild as these tropes sometimes overlap. May or may not turn into a FantasticAesop. Can result in a PhlebotinumMuncher or MarySuetopia.

* In ''FanFic/{{Fractured}}'', a ''Franchise/MassEffect''[=/=]''Franchise/StarWars''[[spoiler:[=/=]''[=Borderlands=]'']] [[MassiveMultiplayerCrossover crossover]] and its sequel ''[[FanFic/SovereignGFCOrigins Origins]]'', it's noted by the heroes that the "Cosmic Cleansing Sphere" triggered through [[spoiler:Lilith crashing a ship into a temple made of Eridium]] kills both [[EldritchAbomination Reapers]] and [[{{Mooks}} followers]] of the InsaneAdmiral Xytler by [[spoiler:turning their hearts into solid matter]].

* Robert Sawyer has written several books that feature a technological loss of privacy as leading to a better society. His [[Literature/TheNeanderthalParallax Neanderthal Parallax]] series features a society in which everyone wears a gadget that records everything they do 24/7, storing it in an archive that can only be accessed by the person in question, or by the authorities if they have sufficient cause. Another story features plans sent by aliens. The plans are for a gadget that lets people read each others minds without limit, and it is strongly implied that this will lead to utopia.